Methods of treating optic disorders

Abstract

The present invention relates to methods for treating optic disorders or for reducing or alleviating the signs, symptoms, or pathological conditions related to such optic disorders. In particular, methods are provided for treating optic disorders, or reducing the symptoms thereof, the methods involving the administration of one or more downstream folate compounds and/or methyl-B12. In one particular embodiment, the method comprises administration of L-methylfolate. In other embodiments, the method involves administering both L-methylfolate and methyl-B12. In still further embodiments, the method further involves reducing dietary intake of folic acid. In certain embodiments, the method further involves identifying a subject organism with a malfunction in one or more of the folate or B4 cycles. In certain embodiments, such a malfunction is one or more of the C677T and A1298C mutations. In still further embodiments, the method further involves identifying a subject organism that is deficient in vitamins B-12 and D3 but which possesses excess homocysteine.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of improving or alleviating a vision related headache or migraine in a non-folic acid deficient subject organism suffering from an optic disorder and vision related headache or migraine, the method comprising administering to the subject organism an effective amount of one or more compounds containing folate found downstream of folic acid in the folate cycle, wherein the subject organism comprises one or both of a C677T or a A1298C mutation, and wherein the one or more compounds containing folate found downstream of folic acid in the folate cycle are selected from the group consisting of 5-formyltetrahydrofolate, DHF, THF, 5FITHF, 5,10-METHF, and L-methylfolate. 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the subject organism possesses both of the C677T and the A1298C mutations. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the optic disorder is selected from the group consisting of optic neuropathy, retinopathy, macular degeneration or optic atrophy. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the subject organism is a human. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising decreasing the subject organism's intake of folic acid. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more compounds containing folate found downstream of folic acid in the folate cycle comprise L-methylfolate. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 6 , wherein the L-methylfolate is provided in a dose of 1 mcg to 25 mg/day.